Chestnut trees to a boy = conkers. Shiny chestnuts taken from spiky green armour then baked/pickled, drilled and strung, ready to wage playground warfare. The actual trees definitely took second place to the conkers.
Most of the conker trees where I grew up were enormous (possibly because I wasn’t that tall…) and we had to throw sticks up to harvest the nuts. Probably wise at this point to say these chestnuts are NOT edible by humans… these are “Horse Chestnuts” not the more elegant edible “Sweet Chestnuts.” Make the point clear to the kids, please.
Then I became a photographer and started looking for colourful & beautiful subjects. Flowers make great pics (and the wild ones are free!). I discovered that the most common Horse Chestnut trees have big showy flowers, spiky candelabras of white, pink, and yellow: and I could reach them now!
Look at the photo: the delicate design is almost confusing to our eyes, but the pollinators thrive on the massed towers. A mature tree has hundreds of flower spikes, and during flowering they almost look like a decorated Christmas tree.
From a distance the flower spikes look white or pink. Details only become clear when we examine them closely. And the Divine is in those details.
This principle applies in the process of becoming a follower of Jesus. We may notice churches or Christians from a distance and may think them attractive. But it is meeting real people with a real faith that makes a bigger impact. Getting closer means we see more- including seeing the imperfections and the faded blooms. When we choose to explore “close up” there is a whole range of impressions and information to take in.
Studying the Bible is another area where you can always discover more of the self-revelation of God. Too many people stop too soon: picking up a smattering of stories and history, and often taking bits out of context (remember Woolworths pick n’mix?). I have been reading the Bible since childhood, and to this day I still discover more beauty in the details. It is best described as meeting with Jesus through the written words, a process that is empowered by Holy Spirit grace: and looking at Jesus is the best way to discover the rich depth of relationship in Father, Son, & Spirit.
Look for the details. Take them to your heart, and it will transform your mind.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12 v2
The Reflectionary 